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Volume 85 | Number 25
APRIL 21, 2016 |FREE
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NEWSTALK
Financial Special Edition
MAY WALKER discusses deputy’s shooting
P2 NATIONAL REP. G.K. BUTTERFIELD blasts missed deadline
P3
MAKE MONEY WORK
SPORTS MICHAEL HAYWOOD coaches TSU football
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Lupita Nyong’o lends voice to ‘Jungle Book’ Academy Award winning-actress Lupita Nyong’o is one of the stars providing voices in the new film “The Jungle Book,” which uses up-to-the-minute technology to tell a classic adventure story. Read about the mancub raised by a family of wolves and his timeless journey. Hear what Nyong’o has to say about her character Raksha, a mother wolf that cares deeply for her pups and adopted son. See what other big-name Hollywood stars are featured in the film. H PAGE 5
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Kelsey Cadien, Hazel Sims and Cambel Cadien at Chic Children for a Cause fashion show
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DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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Mayor proposes solution to budget shortfall Utilizing a shared sacrifice approach, Mayor Sylvester Turner recently unveiled a proposed fiscal year 2017 general fund budget that eliminates a projected $160 million shortfall that was the result of cost increases, voter imposed revenue limitations, a broken appraisal system and the economic downturn. The budget totals $2.3 billion, which is about $82 million less in spending than the current FY2016 appropriation. The decrease was accomplished while still meeting $60 million of contractual and mandated cost increases the City is forced to cover in FY2017.
Turner unveiled his preliminary budget plan more than a month ahead of the normal schedule and has requested accelerated City Council approval in an effort to send a positive message regarding City budget management. “This was the largest fiscal challenge the City has faced since before the Great Recession,” Turner said. “By bringing all parties to the table to engage in shared sacrifice, we have closed the budget gap and started addressing the long-standing structural imbalance between available revenues and spending. “Each City department, the employee unions, the Tax
Increment Reinvestment Zones, City Council and various other parties have worked together to identify cost savings and efficiencies while preserving a healthy fund balance, minimizing employee layoffs and maintaining the services our residents rely on and deserve.” The budget includes the elimination of 54 vacant positions and 30 to 40 layoffs, most of which Turner hopes to accomplish through attrition. There are no significant reductions to park and library operations, which have been hit hard in the past, and there will be no layoffs of police officers or firefighters.
Deputy recovering from ambush Harris County Deputy Constable Alden Clopton is recovering from surgery after being shot multiple times in the back during an ambush on April 13 in Third Ward. Precinct 7 Constable May Walker said the shooting occurred while Clopton talked to a female officer who had just finished a traffic stop. Clopton leaned inside her patrol car to give instructions on her video camera when shots were fired. Investigators questioned a man fitting the description of the gunman but did not arrest him. Walker said Clopton will undergo a long recovery but should be “okay.” “Everyone should just pray for him and his family,” she said. “I have faith and believe he is going to do well. It’s like a family at Precinct 7 and everybody will be there to support him including myself.” Crime Stoppers announced an increased reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the attack of Clopton. The reward is available through the Fallen Hero Project. If an officer or firefighter is injured or killed in the line of duty as the result of a felonious crime, the anonymous cash reward of up to $5,000 will double to $10,000 thanks to the support of the 100 Club. Anyone with information on the Clopton shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Constable May Walker
Deputy Alden Clopton
localbriefs CONGRESSMEN AL GREEN AND GENE GREEN along with State Sen. Rodney Ellis have requested disaster declarations from President Obama and Gov. Greg Abbott due to the extensive flooding in Harris County and Houston that led to at least five deaths. Abbott declared a state of emergency in the Houston area on April 18. In addition, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee requested that the filing deadline for federal income tax returns be extended to assist individuals who were unable to file their taxes on April 18 because of the extreme inclement weather…….. TEXAS ADDED an estimated 185,000 seasonally adjusted jobs over the
past year. The state experienced job gains in two of the first three months of 2016. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate maintained a 4.3 percent rate in March, matching the revised 4.3 percent rate in February and continuing to trend below the national average of 5.0 percent………MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER and HPD passed out the first deployment of body cameras to officers during an afternoon roll call. Turner also confirmed that a recent backlog of approximately 300 untested sexual assault kits would be eliminated by no later than the end of June.…….. A JOB RESOURCE FAIR is Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Third
Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street. It is sponsored by Third Ward Community Cloth, Houston Southeast and the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work’s Cloth Graduate Intern Project. Visit www.communitycloth.org or call 713521-9544……..KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL received a green light for building improvements not to exceed $14.1 million. Construction at the school could begin by early summer with work completed within a year. The Kashmere community is invited to learn more about the project at a meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Kashmere High School, 6900 Wileyvale Road.
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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U.S.briefs THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee filed a joint lawsuit in the United States District Court of Arizona on behalf of voters affected by voting irregularities. The suit is a response to decisions that caused “extremely long lines and needlessly disenfranchised voters,” especially minority voters, during the state’s March 22 presidential primary election. The suit includes affected voters, former Chairman and First President of the Navajo Nation Peterson Zah and the Arizona Democratic Party as plaintiffs. Among those named as defendants in the suit is the Arizona Secretary of State. The suit cited the state’s decision to reduce the number of voting locations, forcing thousands of voters to wait in lines for up to five hours…….. THE NAACP co-sponsored a study which determined the largest cities where African-American, Latino, and low-income households in urban areas spend the greatest proportion of their income on energy bills. The study also looked at how more energy efficiency could help overburdened families. The 15 cities with the worst energy burdens for low-income and minority households are Atlanta, Birmingham, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Fort Worth, Hartford, Kansas City, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence and St. Louis……..THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION announced a new process to identify and assist federal student loan borrowers with disabilities who may be eligible for Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) loan discharge. The effort was called for by President Obama in his Student Aid Bill of Rights, which details measures to make paying for higher education an easier and fairer experience. The Higher Education Act allows for loan forgiveness for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled. The department said it is fulfilling its commitment to ensure that disabled borrowers have the information needed to take full advantage of the debt relief to which they are entitled.
VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 25 APRIL 21, 2016
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall
Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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CBC chair alarmed by missed budget deadline Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield expressed concern after House Republicans missed the April 15 budget deadline. Some observers said the missed deadline dealt a blow to Speaker Paul Ryan, who pledged to show this year that Republicans could handle the basic job of funding the government. “The Republican leadership in the House have chosen the route of inaction and failed to present a 2017 budget for Congress to debate and consider,” Butterfield said. “But it is more alarming that Speaker Ryan’s ‘Road to Ruin’ proposed cuts that were not deep enough for a majority of his party to agree on. “His proposal to end the Medicare guarantee and execute $6.5 trillion in cuts demonstrates Congressional Republicans’ disdain for the social safety net that so many Americans depend on.” Butterfield said the budget is supposed to provide direction on funding the federal government in the upcoming year, but the missed deadline will make it harder for a plan to be decided on by Congress. “We will continue to fight for a budget Congressman G.K. Butterfield that reflects the values of the American people and one that will emphasize our long-standing commitment “The Ryan budget that has been proposed is the most to eradicating poverty in America by increasing economic devastating road-to-ruin budget in history,” Pelosi said. opportunities through investments in education, infrastruc“And even that wasn’t brutal enough for the radical forces ture, affordable housing, small business, and job training,” that have taken control of the House GOP. Butterfield said. “This budget that would have ended the Medicare “We must protect and strengthen the social safety net, guarantee and demanded $6.5 trillion in cuts was too mild which will stop millions of families from sinking deeper for House Republicans. This is the cruel reality of the into poverty.” Republican Congress today: a Ryan Budget that severe, that Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said missing the date is destructive to working families doesn’t go far enough to not nearly as significant as the reason why. pass in the Republican majority.”
Supreme Court hears immigration arguments The Supreme Court began hearing arguments in a case that could void the executive actions President Obama took in 2014 to save nearly 5 million illegal immigrants from deportation. Texas is among the states challenging Obama’s actions. Obama’s effort to offer protection from deportation ran into opposition from conservative justices on the court. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito seemed concerned with the administration’s language that said the program’s recipients would be “lawfully present,” which they suggested would contradict immigration law. “How is it possible to lawfully work in the United States without lawfully being in the United States?”
Alito asked. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg noted at one point that there are 11.3 million undocumented immigrants in the country and Congress has provided funds for removing about 4 million. “So inevitably, priorities have to be set,” she said. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state is nearing the end of the fight to stop Obama’s illegal “executive amnesty.” “My final lawsuit as Texas attorney general against the Obama Administration came after the president, who admitted multiple times that he had no authority to grant amnesty to millions here illegally, tried to do exactly that,” Abbott said.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016 defendernetwork.com
Essence names best colleges for Black students Essence Magazine joined Money Magazine in recently revealing their inaugural list of the 50 Best Colleges for African-Americans. Two Texas institutions made the list: Rice University (No. 23) and Prairie View A&M University (No. 38). The list relied on federal data that Money compiles for its annual Best Colleges rankings –including graduation rates, net college costs after financial aid and graduates’ early-career earnings – plus Essence’s criteria for racial climate on each campus. “The staffs of Essence and Money interviewed researchers, students, and professors and analyzed newly available data on more than 1,500 public and private four-year colleges to find the schools that offer the best combination of opportunity, educational value, affordability, and advantage in the job market,” Essence said. The criteria included: 1. Representation: African-Americans had to make up at least 5 percent of each college’s student body. 2. Affordability: The magazines measured the price students pay after aid is subtracted and factored in the average loan debt they take on. 3. Postgrad earnings: The magazines combined Money’s data on graduation rates with a Georgetown
Top 10 colleges fo
r
Blacks 1. Princeton Univ ersity 2. Harvard Univer sity 3. Duke Universit y 4. Cornell Univer sity 5. Florida A&M Un iversity 6. Spelman Colle ge 7. University of Pe nnsylvania 8. Yale University 9. North Carolina A&T State Univer sity 10. University of Maryland, College Park
Top 10 HBCUs
University analysis of colleges that produce unusually highearning graduates, after accounting for the racial, academic and socioeconomic background of their student bodies. “The result is a mix of schools for different kinds of students,” Essence said. “Some, such as Princeton, have comparatively fewer Black students but extremely generous financial aid and financially successful alumni. “Others, such as North Carolina A&T, provide opportunities to many more Black students and have high graduation rates. And in a year marked by #blackoncampus
1. Florida A&M Un iversity 2. Spelman Colle ge 3. North Carolina A&T 4. Hampton Univ ersity 5. Bowie State Un iversity 6. Virginia State University 7. Howard Univer sity 8. Alcorn State Un iversity 9. Jackson State University 10. Elizabeth City State University
protests, we incorporated the voices of both students and faculty who spoke about their lived experiences at these schools.”
Texas’ gender wage gap costs women $37 billion On average, Texas women employed full-time, year round are paid just 79 cents for every dollar paid to men. In total, women in Texas lose nearly $37 billion every year, which is money that could strengthen the state economy and the financial security of Texas women and families. These are some of the findings of a new analysis conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families. The analysis spans all 50 states and the findings include: • For every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men in Texas, African-American women, Latinas and Asian women who work full-time, year round are paid 59 cents, 44 cents and 78 cents, respectively. • If the gap between women’s and men’s wages in Texas was eliminated, each woman who holds a full-time job in the state could afford to buy food for 1.5 more years, pay for mortgage and utilities for seven more months, or pay rent for nearly 11 more months. “This analysis is a sobering reminder of the serious harm the wage gap causes women and families all across the country,” said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership. “At a time when women’s wages are so critical to the economic well-being of families, the country is counting on lawmakers to work together to advance the fair and family friendly workplace policies that would promote equal pay. There is no time to waste.”
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG Whether you’re working on a large excavation or simply planting a tree in your yard, natural gas and utility line safety should always be job one—and that starts with calling 8-1-1 to have your utility lines marked. By doing so, you can be certain where your electric, gas, water and other important lines are located as well as avoid causing serious injuries, service interruptions or possibly costly fines for damaged infrastructure. Make the call. It’s easy, and free. Respect the lines. Dig with care. After all, safety is in your hands… but always on our mind. For more information on natural gas safety, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
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FINANCIAL
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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Special Edition
5
keys to financial literacy By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender
April is National Financial Literacy Month, a time to shed light on money management. Barbara Paige, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, offers five keys to becoming financially literate.
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Barbara Paige
Set and keep personal goals. Whether you’re planning to have zero credit card debt, trying to fund a vacation or struggling with paying off student loan debt, Paige said setting financial goals is one step toward making your life a little easier. “Start by thinking about the things that are important to you,” she said. To figure it out, ask yourself five questions and use them to make a list of your short, medium and long-term goals. • What part of your home or life would you like to change? • When would you like to retire or have a workoptional lifestyle? • What is most important to you in retirement? • What are the causes you would like to be more involved with? • What would you like to have more of in your life? “Think about how you would prioritize your goals so that you can balance your life today with your dreams for tomorrow, since you may not be in the position to achieve all of your goals at once,” Paige said.
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Know your cash flow. Paige said it’s critical that you know how much money you have. “Your cash inflow (money received) is fairly easy to measure, as it’s just your salary plus any other sources of income,” she said. “However, measuring cash outflow (money paid out) may take a bit more effort.” Paige said most people know how much their monthly household and essential living expenses are, but other cash outflows – such as quarterly auto insurance payments, auto drafts for memberships, annual
property taxes that are not included in mortgage escrow and miscellaneous daily expenses – can often be overlooked. To get a complete picture of your cash flow, track your expenses for a few months with a spreadsheet or a money management app. Once you get a good grasp of your monthly finances, establish a budget and stick to it. “Some people view budgeting as a restriction when really it can help you to take control of your money,” Paige said. “Creating a budget puts you in the driver’s seat instead of just going along for the ride.”
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Plan for financial uncertainty. Whether it relates to your job, personal life or the larger economy, uncertainty often has financial consequences. To manage what you can’t predict, Paige said speak with an advisor and come up with a financial plan. “A financial advisor can help you to refine your goals, assess your cash flow and create a plan to help guide you to where you want to be financially,” she said. “However, unexpected events like a job loss, prolonged illness or injury, premature death, or liability exposure, could possibly derail your plan.” Paige said people often shy away from discussing such topics because they may require potentially uncomfortable conversations and tough decisions, but this avoidance can leave you vulnerable.
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Minimize your taxable income. You can receive income in the form of money, property or services. Generally, an amount included in your income is taxable unless it is specifically exempted by law.
“Some people pay more in taxes [than they need to] because they may not be aware of tax management strategies that exist or perhaps because they aren’t properly diversified from a tax perspective,” Paige said. “It’s important to diversify your assets with respect to tax treatment, especially in retirement. If you have assets with different tax treatments [taxable, tax-deferred and tax-fee] you could have a more tax-efficient way to get money when you need it and reduce taxes and penalties.”
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Develop an investment strategy. Paige suggests creating a plan that’s designed to help you meet your unique goals. “It’s important to consider your goals in conjunction with your time frame and your risk tolerance,” she said. Though there is no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful, Paige said your level of risk should feel comfortable to you. “Investing is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said. “Everyone’s situation is different so the way someone else invests may not be the right fit for you.” Diversification is another key concept when it comes to an investment strategy. “After you have a strategy, you will need to periodically review your portfolio to make sure it remains in line with your needs and expectations all while avoiding making emotional decisions about your investments,” she said. “The short story is, get invested, establish your risk tolerance, diversify, stay invested and make necessary adjustments along the way.” For more information visit: www.ameripriseadvisors.com/Barbara/paige.
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FINANCIAL
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5 tips on shopping for a mortgage I
Table of Contents JP Morgan Chase Bank
The pathway to good paying jobs 3B Make money work: Investment FAQs 4B Wells Fargo Bank
Keys to retirement: Saving early, consistently 5B Personal loans 101: Choose the right tools 6B Cyber security tips for shopping, banking 8B Capital One Bank
Using credit wisely 9B Things to know about life insurance 10B BB&T Bank
Serving local business communities 11B
f you’re looking for the best financing deal for a mortgage, it pays to shop around. A mortgage is a product just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. Here are five tips from the Federal Reserve. 1. Know what you can afford. Review your monthly spending plan to estimate what you can afford to pay for a home, including the mortgage, property taxes, insurance and monthly maintenance and utilities. Make sure you save for emergencies. Check your credit report to make sure that the information in it is accurate. A higher credit score may help you get a lower interest rate on your mortgage. 2. Compare loans from lenders and brokers. Shopping takes time and energy, but not shopping around can cost you thousands of dollars. You can get a mortgage loan from mortgage lenders or mortgage brokers. Brokers arrange mortgage loans with a lender rather than lend money directly; in other words, brokers sell you a loan from a lender. Neither lenders nor brokers have to find the best loan for you. To find the best loan, you have to do the shopping. 3. Understand loan prices and fees. Many consumers accept the first loan offered and don’t realize that they may be able to get a better loan. Lenders and brokers may offer different interest rates and fees to different consumers for the same loan, even when those consumers have
the same loan qualifications. Lenders and brokers also consider the profit they receive if you agree to the terms of a loan with higher fees or a higher interest rate. 4. Know the risks and benefits of loan options. Mortgages have many features. Some have fixed interest rates and some have adjustable rates. On some you pay only the interest on the loan for a while and then you pay down the principal (the loan amount). Some charge you a penalty for paying the loan off early and some have a large payment due at the end of the loan (a balloon payment). 5. Get advice from trusted sources. Talk with a trusted housing counselor or a real estate attorney that you hire to review your documents before you sign them. You can find a list of counseling resources at www.hud.gov or by calling 800-569-4287.
Message from the Publisher The Defender is pleased to once again provide valuable information on a subject that is important to all of us – money. Money is crucial to our survival. We need it for food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and transportation. We need it to provide for our families and improve our communities. The question is, are you making money work for you? Your money works for you when you invest it, save it and spend it wisely. It doesn’t work for you when you spend more than you earn, stay behind on your bills, struggle with credit card debt and fail to make a budget and stick with it.
In this special financial edition, we explore major financial issues and share advice from experts in the field. They offer insight on becoming financially literate, understanding investments, protecting your assets online and buying life insurance. Our partners also share their extensive knowledge, and we would like to thank BB&T Bank, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Each year, we look forward to compiling our annual financial edition. We feel it is a needed community service that benefits our readers in Houston and beyond.
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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The pathway to good paying jobs
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By JPMorgan Chase
espite persistent unemployment, companies are having trouble filling readily available jobs. A conversation with Gina Luna, market leader for JPMorgan Chase, sheds light on the skills gap.
• How significant is the gap in Houston?
The skills gap is still very significant in Houston, despite the challenges the energy industry is going through. Energy’s slump has not impacted demand for skilled workers in the petrochemical industry, nor • What is the skills gap? in industrial or commercial Like many cities around construction. It remains an the world, Houston doesn’t urgent problem. The industrain enough skilled workers tries need tens of thousands to fill jobs that are readily of skilled employees over available. These openings are the next several years Gina Luna, Market Leader JPMorgan Chase for middle skills jobs, meanThe skills gap is not ing they require more training than high school, but a new phenomenon, and while it cannot be remedied less than a four-year degree. overnight, it is an issue that we can address and have a We are not training workers fast enough, or meaningful impact in the near-term and the long-term. with the right skills, contributing to a skills gap that • What is being done to address the impacts everyone. If we can’t fill these jobs, it slows skills gap? our economic growth. And it has a hugely negative Houston has the nation’s first business-led, commuimpact on people who are unable to compete for nity-wide, integrated workforce effort. It’s called Upskill good-paying jobs that will support themselves and Houston and is steered by the Greater Houston Partnertheir families.
ship. It brings together companies, the public sector, non-profit organizations and educators to make sure training programs prepare people for jobs that are open and available. To help fund this work, JPMorgan Chase has committed to provide $5 million in grants for workforce development initiatives in Houston. It is part of our $250 million commitment worldwide, the largest ever private-sector effort aimed at addressing the skills gap.
What can job seekers do to take advantage of this opportunity?
• Petrochemical jobs: www.energizehouston.org • Construction professions: www. constructioncitizen.com • Health Care professions: www.gulfcoastcc.org/ healthcare • United Way of Greater Houston: Dial 211 for Helpline specialist • Workforce Solutions: www.wrksolutions.com/ upskillhouston. • Capital Idea workforce development program: www.capitalideahouston.org
CHASE IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE HOUSTON DEFENDER
SO YOU CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. Chase is proud to have served Houston for over 150 years. Together, let’s celebrate a community we call home. Visit Your Local Chase Branch Today. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC © 2016 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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Make money work:
Investment FAQs Knowing how to secure your financial well-being is one of the most important steps you can take in life. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, you don’t have to be a genius to do it. You just need to know the basics. “There is no guarantee that you’ll make money from investments you make,” says the SEC. “But if you get the facts about saving and investing and follow through with an intelligent plan, you should be able to gain financial security over the years and enjoy the benefits of managing your money.” Here are frequently asked questions from the SEC. Q. Why should I invest? A. For most people, the only way to attain financial security is to save and invest over a long period of time. You just need to have your money work for you. That’s investing. There are two ways your money can work for you. One, your money earns money. Someone pays you to use your money for a period of time. You then get your money back plus “interest.” Or, if you buy stock in a company that pays “dividends” to shareholders, the company pays you a portion of its earnings on a regular basis. Now your money is making an “income.” Two, you buy something with your money that could increase in value. You become an owner of something that you hope increases in value over time. When you need your money back, you sell it, hoping someone else will pay you more for it. Q. What are stocks? A. Stocks are a type of security that gives stockholders a share of ownership in a company. Stocks also are called “equities.” The stock market is where buyers and sellers meet to decide on the price to buy or sell securities, usually with the assistance of a broker. Q. What kinds of stocks are there? A. There are two main kinds of stocks, common stock and preferred stock. Common stock entitles owners to vote at shareholder meetings and receive dividends. Preferred stockholders usually don’t have voting rights but they receive dividend payments before common stockholders do, and have priority over common stockholders if the company goes bankrupt and its assets are liquidated. Q. What are the benefits and risks of stocks? A. Stocks offer investors the greatest potential
for growth (capital appreciation) over the long haul. Investors willing to stick with stocks over long periods of time, say 15 years, generally have been rewarded with strong, positive returns. But stock prices move down as well as up. There’s no guarantee that the company whose stock you hold will grow and do well, so you can lose money you invest in stocks. Q. What are bonds? A. A bond is a debt security, similar to an IOU. Borrowers issue bonds to raise money from investors willing to lend them money for a certain amount of time. When you buy a bond, you are lending to the issuer, which may be a government, municipality, or corporation. In return, the issuer promises to pay you a specified rate of interest during the life of the bond and to repay the principal, also known as face value or par value of the bond, when it “matures,” or comes due after a set period of time. Q. What types of bonds are there? A. There are three main types of bonds – corporate bonds, municipal bonds and U.S. treasuries.
Q. What are some other types of investment products? A. Other types include mutual funds, exchangetraded funds, annuities, certificates of deposit, money market funds, commodities, hedge funds, real estate investment trusts and international investing. Q. How can I avoid investment fraud? A. A basic understanding of how scam artists work can help you to avoid fraud and protect your hard-earned money. Learning how to invest safely also can assist you in reaching your financial goals and will mean a huge difference in your retirement years. Take steps to avoid being scammed. They include: research before you invest, know the salesperson, be wary of unsolicited offers, protect yourself online and become knowledgeable about different types of fraud and red flags that may signal investment fraud. Q. What are red flags to look for? A. Red flags include: • If it sounds too good to be true, it is. • “Guaranteed returns” aren’t. • Beware the “halo” effect, when a con artist comes across as likeable or trustworthy. • “Everyone is buying it.” • Pressure to send money “right now.” • Reciprocity, in which fraudsters try to lure investors through free investment seminars or lunch. Q. Where can I go for help? A. If you have a question or concern about an investment, contact the SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at 800-732-0330. For general information on investing visit www. investor.gov.
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FINANCIAL
APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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Keys to retirement:
Saving early, consistently By JIM CHAPMAN Wells Fargo
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oung employees might view putting aside money for retirement as something that’s too difficult to do. It’s something they believe can be done later, since the Jim Chapman retirement date is so far away. But just the opposite is true. Simply enrolling in the plan at a young age and having those payroll deductions accrue in a pre-tax savings account is a solid strategy for starting down the path of saving for retirement. Results from our latest Wells Fargo Retire-
ment Study show the difference this approach can make. Workers ages 55 to 59, who began contributing to a retirement plan at an average age of 31, had amassed a median of $150,000 toward their goal of a median of $500,000, three times as much as what workers in their 60s or older had saved, who started saving at an average age of 37. This strategy also creates an environment for consistent savings, another key contributor to success in saving for retirement. Of those responding to our 2016 retirement study, 45 percent of workers 40 or older and 47 percent of retirees told us they had started saving for retirement from the first day they began working. This group of workers 40 or older who kept saving throughout their careers have amassed a median of $160,000 in retirement savings, exactly $100,000 more than workers who have
not consistently saved. We were pleased to see that income level didn’t deter people from consistently saving. In our study, 31 percent of those saving for retirement from the beginning earned less than $50,000 a year. People without a workplace savings plan can still be consistent savers. Subject to eligibility requirements, you can set up an automatic savings program and make systematic contributions up to $5,500 annually to either a Roth IRA (with after-tax dollars) or traditional IRA (with pre-tax dollars). Consider this: Annual contributions of $5,500 become $110,000 in 20 years! Putting yourself in position for a secure retirement is a marathon not a sprint, something that starts with that first step. Jim Chapman is a director for Wells Fargo Institutional Trust and Retirement and is based in Houston.
01_17624
9.75 x 6.5 4c
Sometimes your biggest meeting of the day isn’t around a conference table. Working together, we can help you manage your money so it works hard for you and the people who matter most in your life. From credit management to college savings and even retirement planning, we can help create a financial plan for you and your family’s future. To learn more, come in or visit wellsfargo.com/together.
All credit decisions are subject to credit approval. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (2393901_17624)
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FINANCIAL
DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
Choose the right tools for your financial goals
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Family Features
f you happen to find yourself in a tight spot, borrowing money can help set you back on the right path. However, doing so without a full understanding of the facts can hinder your finances in the future. “When faced with a financial emergency, most people don’t think through how borrowing money might affect them down the line,” said Susie Irvine, president and CEO, American Financial Services Association Education Foundation, a nonprofit which heightens consumers’ awareness of personal financial responsibility. “With so many options available, it’s relatively easy to get a loan, but the impact on your credit and what it actually costs you over time can vary a great deal.” The two most common types of small-dollar borrowing are traditional installment loans and payday loans. Knowing the ins and outs of each type of loan and how they work can help you make the best decision for your financial situation. Traditional installment loans are one of the oldest forms of finance transactions and provide credit to individuals and families who need access to credit to meet an immediate need, such as vehicle repairs, household appliances or medical expenses. Averaging around $1,500, traditional installment loans are “plain vanilla” loans with transparent, easy-to-understand repayment terms, due dates and payment amounts – which usually average $120 per month over a term of about 15 months. With regular, manageable payments of principal and interest, the borrower has a clear roadmap out of debt. Best of all, traditional installment lenders
report payment activity to credit bureaus, improving a borrower’s credit score when payments are made on time. Payday loans are repaid in a single balloon payment at the end of the loan period. This payment is usually due in less than 30 days and frequently the term is as short as 14 days. Payday lenders do not assess ability to repay, relying instead on a postdated check or similar access to a borrower’s bank account as assurance the loan will be repaid. If a borrower cannot afford to repay a payday loan in full when it comes due, they are left with no option but to refinance the entire balance of the initial loan. Although payday loans may appear to provide a quick and easy solution, this single, lumpsum payment can lead to significant problems for the borrower. Payday lenders have also been sanctioned in many states, and at the federal level, for abusive practices. To learn more about affordable credit options that are available to help you better manage your money, visit installmentloanswork.com.
PERSO LOANS
Is an installment loan for yo u?
W he n de cid ing wh eth er to ob tai n a loa n, co ns ide r the be ne fit s an d res po ns ibi lit ies . Acco rdi ng to the Am eri ca n Fi na nc ial Se rvi ce s As so cia tio n Ed uc ati on Fo un da tio n, an ins tal lm en t loa n: • Ob lig ate s fu tu re in co me . Yo u’l l be requ ire d to set asi de a ce rta in am ou nt of fut ure inc om e for loa n pa ym en ts. • Re qu ire s di sci pl in e. Bo rro wi ng wi sel y me an s no t bo rro wi ng mo re tha n yo u ca n ha nd le.
Do n’t let the thr ill of bu yin g ob lig ate yo u to mo re tha n yo u ca n aff ord . • M ak es it po ssi bl e to me et un ex pe cte d ex pe ns es. Th e ab ili ty to bo rro w an d ma ke affor da ble pa ym en ts ca n be he lpf ul if an em erge nc y ari ses tha t req uir es ex tra mo ne y. • Al low s yo u to ob tai n prod uc ts an d ser vic es no w an d pa y for th em lat er. A loa n ca n pro vid e an op po rtu nit y to pu rch ase big ge rtic ke t ite ms an d us e the m rig ht aw ay.
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L EDITION
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About car title loans
ONAL S 101 Know loan language Amount financed – The total dollar amount of the credit that is provided to you. Annual percentage rate or APR – A measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. Credit insurance – Optional insurance that is designed to repay the debt if the borrower dies or becomes disabled. Finance charge – The dollar amount you pay to use credit. Fixed rate financing – The interest rate and the payment remains the same over the life of the loan. Equal monthly payments of principal and interest are made until the debt is paid in full. Length of payment – The total number of months you have to pay the credit obligation. Late payment fee – A fee that is charged when payment is made after its due date. Monthly payment amount – The dollar amount due each month to repay the credit agreement.
he Houston area for over 80 years
A car title loan – also known as a pink-slip loan, title pledge or title pawn – is a small, short-term, high-rate loan that uses the clear title on your vehicle as collateral. It is a very expensive form of credit. Some lenders offer car title loans if you have equity in the vehicle, even without clear title. These loans typically are for 15 or 30 days and have a triple-digit annual percentage rate (APR), a much higher interest rate than most forms of credit. Car title loans often are for an amount that is 25 percent to 50 percent of the value of the car. On average, these loans are for $100 to $5,500. But they can be for $10,000 or more from some lenders. Here is some advice on car title loans from the Federal Trade Commission. • Review the loan terms. Car title lenders must give you the terms of the loan in writing before you sign for the loan, including the cost of the loan and the APR. In addition to the finance charge, car title loans also may include charges, like processing fees, document fees, late fees, loan origination fees, title charges, and lien fees. • Beware of “add-ons.” In addition to your loan, you may have to buy add-ons like a vehicle roadside service plan. The cost of the plan may depend on the value of the loan. If add ons are required, they become part of the finance charge/APR, making the costs of credit even higher. • Know your payment options. You generally have three options to pay: in person, through an online system, or through an automated repayment system. Lenders cannot make recurring automatic debits unless you agree in advance to these transfers from your bank account. The lender must give you a copy of your authorization of the recurring automatic debits. In addition, it’s illegal for a company to require that credit be repaid through pre authorized automatic transfers. If you can’t pay off the loan in the typical 30 day period, the lender may offer to “roll over” the loan into a new loan. But the roll over process always adds fees and interest to the amount you originally borrowed. • Avoid repossession. If your car is repossessed, you lose not only your transportation to work, school and other places you need to go, but also the money your car was worth. Some lenders require installation of GPS or starter interrupt devices on the vehicles for repossession, among other purposes. Some states have laws that force lenders who have repossessed and sold your car to pay you the difference between the sale price and the loan amount. Other states allow lenders to keep the full amount from the sale.
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10 FINANCIAL
DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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cyber security tips for banking, shopping Your home has locks on the doors and windows to protect your family and prevent thieves from your possessions. But do you have deterrents to prevent the loss or theft of your electronic assets when banking or shopping remotely online? “Think about all of the access points to and from your computer, such as Internet connections, email accounts and wireless networks,” said Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC’s Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section. “These always need to be protected. Otherwise, it’s like leaving your front door wide open while you are away so that anyone could come in and take what they please.” Consider these strategies from the FDIC. 1. Take extra precautions for logging into bank and other financial accounts. Use strong user IDs and passwords that are hard for a hacker to guess. Don’t use your birthdate, address or other words or numbers that can be easy for con artists to find out or guess. Don’t use the same password for different accounts because a criminal who obtains one password can then log in to your other accounts. Keep your user IDs and passwords secret, and change them regularly. 2. Consider using a separate computer solely for online banking or shopping, and not Web browsing, emailing, social networking, playing games or other activities that are more susceptible to malicious software – malware – that can access computers and steal information. You can use an old PC but uninstall any software no longer needed and scan the entire PC to check for malicious software before proceeding. 3. Take precautions if you provide information to third parties. Some people use online “account aggregation” services that, from one website, can provide a convenient way to pay bills, monitor balances in deposits and investment accounts, and even keep track of your frequent flyer miles. Thoroughly research the company behind the website and make sure that you’re dealing with a legitimate entity. 4. Check your bank accounts for signs of fraud. Check your deposit accounts and lines of credit at regular intervals to spot and report errors or fraudulent transactions. Many banks make it easier for customers to keep track of their accounts by of-
fering email or text message alerts when balances fall below a certain level or when there is a transaction over a certain amount. 5. Keep your software up to date. “All of your software should be checked and updated as generally recommended by the manufacturer or when flaws are found,” said Kathryn Weatherby, a fraud examination specialist for the FDIC. “This advice goes for everything from your operating system to your word processing software and Internet browsers.” 6. Install anti-virus software. Crooks and computer hackers are always developing new malware that can access computers and steal information. Install anti-virus software that periodically runs in the background of your computer to search for and remove malware. Set the software to update automatically. 7. Use a firewall program to prevent unau-
thorized access to your PC. In simple terms, a firewall acts as a gatekeeper that helps screen out hackers, malware and other intruders who try to access your computer from the Internet. 8. Only use security products from reputable companies. Some anti-virus software and firewalls can be purchased, while others are available free. Either way, it’s a good idea to check out these products by reading reviews from computer and consumer publications. Look for products that have high ratings for detecting problems and for providing tech support. 9. Take advantage of Internet safety features. When you are banking online, shopping on the Internet or filling out an application that requests sensitive personal information make sure you are doing business with reputable companies. You also can have greater confidence in a website that encrypts (scrambles) the information as it travels to and from your computer. Look for a padlock symbol on the page and a Web address that starts with “https://.” The “s” stands for “secure.” 10. Be careful where you connect to the Internet. A public computer, such as at an Internet café or a hotel business center, may not have up-to-date security software and could be infected with malware. Similarly, if you are using a laptop or mobile device for online banking or shopping, avoid connecting it to a wireless (Wi-Fi) network at a public “hotspot.” Wi-Fi in public areas can be used by criminals to intercept your device’s signals and as a collection point for personal information. Visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov for information on how to be safe online.
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FINANCIAL
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
9B
Using credit wisely By Capital One
Capital One Bank® is proud to support this special section of The Defender and, through it, provide information to help readers and their families learn and practice effective money management skills. Maintaining your financial health is kind of like staying in good physical condition. Your credit requires balanced spending and responsible behavior. Take control of your finances by practicing the following healthy credit habits:
Habit 1:
Create and stick to a budget. Start by outlining all of your monthly expenses. Looking at your budget will help you map how much you can spend and how you can manage your credit card and other expenses.
Habit 2:
Borrow only what you can afford to pay back. Show future lenders they can depend on you by borrowing only as much money as you can afford to pay back.
Habit 3:
Pay your bills on time. It is important to pay your bills on time every month.
A history of late payments can be damaging. If you can schedule automatic payments on your bills, take advantage of it.
Habit 4:
Carry credit card balances responsibly. If you have a credit card, it is important to be responsible when it comes to carrying a balance. Some key tips: • Make your payments on time. • If you can, pay off your balance in full each month. • Pay off your outstanding balance as quickly as possible.
Habit 5:
Check your credit report and monitor your credit score. Check your credit report regularly to help you catch and correct potentially costly errors such as… • Accounts you don’t recognize CreditWise® phone app • Loans that have been paid off but still show up as “open” • Incorrect personal information (such as your address or employer) Checking your credit report is also one of the best
ways to spot potential fraud and identity theft. Everyone is entitled to a free copy of their credit report from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – once every 12 months. Your free reports can be requested by phone, mail or by visiting the government-sponsored website: www. annualcreditreport.com. While your credit report will give you all the details of your credit history, it will not include your credit score, which you may request (and pay for) separately. CreditWise® from Capital One® lets you see your credit score for free and is available to everyone – whether they have a Capital One product or not. Visit (https://www.capitalone.com/ credit-cards/benefits/creditwise/).
COMMITTED TO
COMMUNITY Capital One Bank works every day to give back to the communities where we work and play. Through programs like financial literacy, education, affordable housing and small business development, we help provide people and communities with the tools they need to succeed. ®
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FINANCIAL
DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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things to know about buying life insurance
Life insurance is an important purchase for most Americans because it can provide income replacement to beneficiaries in the event of a death. Life insurance policies are available from more than 2,000 life insurance companies in the United States. Here are some tips on getting the best value from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), an organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials.
1
Review your insurance needs. Choose the kind of policy that has benefits that most closely fit your needs. Consider the number of people who are dependent upon you financially and whether or not you need life insurance. Will you have substantial debts and taxes owed after your death? Do you have alternatives to life insurance, such as savings accounts or other investments that could take care of expenses after your death?
2
Know your options. There are two basic types of life insurance: term insurance and cash-value insurance. You may wish to combine cash-value life insurance with term insurance for the period of your greatest need for life insurance to replace income. Make sure the price is right. If the premium increases later and you still need insurance, will you be able to afford it?
3
Comparison shop. Life insurance is a competitive marketplace, and much of the competition focuses on price. After you have decided which kind of life insurance is best for you, compare similar policies from different companies to find which one is likely to give you the best value for your money.
4
Know your company. You can check the financial stability of any life insurance company through several reputable national rating companies. Check with your state insurance department to verify that the company is authorized to do business in your state. Read your policy carefully before signing. Never buy a policy you don’t understand. If you are given illustrations or booklets, save these materials with your policy. Make sure you understand the guarantees in your policy and the surrender penalties if you choose to drop the policy at any time. Ask your agent or company
5
about anything that is not clear to you.
6
Regularly review your policy. Review your life insurance program with your agent or company every few years to keep up with changes in your income and your needs. This includes a review of your net worth to reconsider the prospects your survivors may face when you pass away.
7
Consider replacement cost. It may be costly to replace your insurance if you change your mind during the early years of the policy. Don’t drop one policy and buy another without a thorough study of the new policy and the one you currently have.
8
Get more information. Order a copy of the “Life Insurance Buyer’s Guide” at www.naic.org.
Common insurance terms Annuity – A contract in which the buyer deposits money with a life insurance company for investment. The contract provides for specific payments to be made at regular intervals for a fixed period or for life. Cash value – The amount of money the life insurance policy owner will receive as a refund if the policy owner cancels the coverage and returns the policy to the company. Copayment – The amount you must pay out of your own pocket when you receive medical care or a prescription drug. Deductible – The amount the insured must pay in a loss before any payment is due from the company. Health maintenance organization (HMO)
– Managed care plans that provide health care services to their members through networks of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. Liability – Responsibility to another for one´s negligence that results in injury or damage. Preferred provider organization (PPO) – A type of plan in which physicians, hospitals, and other providers agree to discount rates for an insurance company. Insurance contracts with PPO provisions reimburse at a higher percentage if you use providers in the network. Premium – The amount paid by an insured to an insurance company to obtain or maintain an insurance policy.
Provider – A hospital, pharmacist, registered nurse, organization, institution or person licensed to provide health care services. Term life insurance – A policy with a set duration limit on the coverage period. Once the policy is expired, it is up to the policy owner to decide whether to renew the policy or let coverage end. Whole life insurance – Whole life insurance policies are one type of cash value insurance. Whole life policies offer protection through a lifetime. Source: Texas Department of Insurance
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FINANCIAL
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
11B
Serving local
business communities services. We deliver a unique blend of services for banking, lending, t BB&T, our misinsurance and wealth sion is to help clients management. In addition achieve economic to those personal banksuccess and finaning services, we provide cial security. Founded in 1872, our business clients with BB&T is among the largest fibusiness banking, capital nancial holding companies in the formation, risk manUnited States with assets totaling agement and employee $209.9 billion. The community benefits solutions. banking model is the foundation Jimmie Jones, our for local decision-making and community business the basis for responsive, reliable development officer, has and empathetic client service a proven track record delivered by highly competent of building successful individuals and teams. Jimmie Jones, Community Business partnerships within the Our 2,265 financial cenDevelopment Officer communities we serve and ters and subsidiary locations use helping businesses achieve their full financial a consultative approach and a comprehenpotential. His background includes a strong sive, integrated line of financial products and
A
By BB&T
mix of entrepreneurship, affordable housing development and banking expertise. We realize you have goals that are unique to your business, and through our consultative approach we take the time to have a conversation with you so we can provide solutions that best meet your needs. Learning more about your business will help us identify cash flow solutions for your company’s needs and goals. We invite you to partner with BB&T so we can share our knowledge and help you make the decisions that will help your business grow and prosper. Each day at BB&T we work to fulfill our mission and define why so many businesses rely on BB&T for objective advice and expert financial solutions. We are honored to have expanded our presence into Texas and Houston in particular, and we invite you to experience the difference a true partnership with BB&T can make today.
Around the corner is a location. And a state of mind. At BB&T, we believe a local approach to banking should never go out of style. For more than 140 years, we’ve been sharing the knowledge our clients need to move in a brighter financial direction. Supporting our schools, arts and sports programs. Helping businesses grow and families become homeowners. And seeing our connection to this community grow stronger by the year. BBT.com
Jimmie Jones Community Business Development Officer Jimmie.Jones@BBandT.com
B A N K I N G
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I N S U R A N C E
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I N V E S T M E N T S
Branch Banking and Trust Company is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Loans are subject to credit approval. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. Š 2016, Branch Banking and Trust Company. All rights reserved.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
entertainment ‘Jungle Book’
5
new twist on classic film Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are lending their voices in “The Jungle Book” a new, live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub raised by a family of wolves. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s stories, the film is inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, with an approach all its own. The all-star cast includes Bill Murray as the voice of Baloo, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Idris Elba as Shere Khan the tiger, and Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of mother wolf Raksha. Scarlett Johansson gives life to Kaa, Giancarlo Esposito provides the voice of alpha-male wolf Akela, and Christopher Walken lends his voice to King Louie. Newcomer Neel Sethi stars as the film’s only human character, Mowgli. Sethi, 12, was selected from thousands of hopefuls who auditioned as part of an extensive worldwide search. “We embrace the mythic qualities of Kipling in the more intense tonal aspects of the film,” said director Jon Favreau, “but we left room for what we remember from the ’67 film, and sought to maintain those charming Disneyesque aspects.” In the film, Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Referring to his character, Elba said, “Shere Khan reigns with fear. He terrorizes everyone he encounters because he comes from a place of fear.” Nyong’o’s character is a mother wolf who cares deeply for all of her pups, including Mowgli, who she adopts as one of her own when he’s abandoned in the jungle as an infant. “She is the protector, the eternal mother,” Nyong’o said. “The word Raksha actually means protection in Hindi. I felt really connected to that, wanting to protect a son that isn’t originally hers but one she’s taken for her own.”
Idris Elba is the voice of Shere Khan.
sha. ice of Rak
vo ng’o is the Lupita Nyo
Giancarlo
Esposito is
the voice
of Akela.
what’sup Former NFL and Texas Southern University football great MICHAEL STRAHAN is leaving “Live! With Kelly and Michael” to join ABC’s “Good Morning America” on a full-time basis beginning in September. Strahan will retain his duties as an analyst for the “Fox NFL Sunday” pre-game show. Strahan has appeared on “Good Morning America” twice a week for the past two years. “Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast,” said James Goldston, president of ABC News. “He’s proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers.” Strahan
will end a four-year run on “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” one of the top-rated daytime shows……..JOHN LEGEND and his wife, model CHRISSY TEIGEN, welcomed their first baby. Her name is LUNA SIMONE STEPHENS (Legend’s birth name is Stephens). She weighed six pounds and 11 ounces, and Legend called his daughter his “new love.” Teigen, who has opened up about the couple’s past fertility problems, dreams of a large family. “We want a lot of kids,” she said……..The “Queen of Soul” celebrated her 74th birthday in style. ARETHA FRANKLIN was joined by 100 friends at a party at New York City’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Guests included REV.
JESSE JACKSON, DON LEMON of CNN, TAMRON HALL of NBC, and record executive CLIVE DAVIS. Franklin was serenaded by DENNIS EDWARDS of the TEMPTATIONS. She also said the long-awaited movie about her life is moving ahead. “They have given me creative control, and that’s all I wanted,” she said. JENNIFER HUDSON is reportedly in the running to portray Franklin……..BOUNCE-TV has chosen journalist ED GORDON to produce and host the networks’ first news magazine show, a series of one-hour specials in which Gordon will interview headline makers. It will premiere this summer.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 21 | 2016
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sports
Area colleges tune up in spring games
Y
By MAX EDISON Defender
ou can tell spring has sprung in Houston. Birds are singing, azaleas are blooming and the unmistakable sound of leather popping could be heard throughout the area. Spring football, that time of the year when hard core fans get their last fix of college football before August, recently concluded. The University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern all marked the end of spring ball with intra-squad games. All three head coaches had an excellent opportunity to evaluate their teams before they shut things down for the summer. UH is coming off one of their most successful seasons ever. The Cougars finished 13-1 overall, 7-1 in American Athletic Conference play, good enough for their first AAC championship. The icing on the cake was a 38-24 victory over Florida State in the ChickFil-A Peach Bowl, not a bad rookie campaign for first year head coach Tom Herman. Now the Cougars must go out and prove that last year was no fluke. Herman, though not a big fan of spring games, was impressed with the physical nature of his Cougar troops on both side of the ball. “One thing that is firmly engrained in our culture is just to run and hit,” Herman said. “That’s the name of the game. Run as fast as you can and hit someone as [hard] as you can when you get there. We do that as good as any team I’ve ever been around and we’re going to continue to do that.” That physical culture was further manifested in the play of the Cougar defense. “It’s really hard to run against our defense, and that’s encouraging,” Herman continued. “I think we’ve got a chance, if we stay healthy upfront, to
be pretty good on defense. I thought we threw the ball pretty good offensively. We definitely made some strides offensively throwing the ball.” On “the Hill,” the Panthers of PVAMU were one of the hottest teams in the SWAC in 2015. Under first year head coach Willie Simmons, PVAMU was 8-2, 8-1 in conference play, a mark that was good enough for second in the SWAC’s West division. Their only loss was to Grambling who went undefeated in conference play. Because of NCAA sanctions the Panthers did not have spring practices in 2015, but Simmons and staff were still able to lay the foundation for a successful season. This season the coach is glad to have the chance to assemble his troop in the spring. “Confidence comes in knowing,” Simmons said. “When you know what you’re doing you can be confident. Last year I think early in the season we weren’t sure about the scheme. We didn’t have spring practice so the guys were still trying to figure out what the calls were, where they needed to line up, what they needed to do. “As the season went on they started to figure out what was going on and we started to play with a lot more confidence, a lot more swagger. This spring they know…and they’ve been really good.” Like Herman at UH, Simmons was pleased at the performance of his defense in spring practice. “I was really pleased with the defense,” he said. “I thought they came out today with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. That’s the way the game has to be played.” There’s a new sheriff in town at Texas Southern and his name is Michael Haywood. He inherits a Tiger team that was 2-7 in conference play, 3-7 overall in 2015. His mission is to
Michael Haywood, the new football coach at Texas Southern University, said the team had a productive spring camp. (Photo by John Posey)
Tom Herman, who coached the University of Houston to a bowl win last season, was impressed by his team this spring.
Willie Simmons, Prairie View A&M University’s head football coach, is glad to have spring practice this year.
make the Tiger program a winner again. “We had a very productive spring camp,” Haywood said. “We were able to implement some of our news schemes and overall the team did a good job grasping the new terminologies and overall
fundamentals.” “Our goal from this point is to continue to improve over the course of the off season,” Haywood continued. “And we have to continue to pay attention to detail and the small things that make you a fundamentally sound football team.”
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APRIL 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER
h.s.zone
sportsbriefs
Worthing’s Jones perseveres for the Colts finish stronger. I still got second place, but I’m going to regionals in two events,” he said. As a sophomore, Jones went to the Class 4A edric Jones has a passion for numbers, Region III meet in the 800-meter run. Over the next academics, competition and perseverance. two weeks he’ll prepare for the 2016 regional track Going into the recent District 22-4A and field meet with a strategy for two events. boys’ 800-meter run final, Jones admitted “I’m pleased about qualifying but I’m also having a little case of nerves. It was a clear case of nervous about it because at regionals everybody can numbers combining with competition. run the same times. It comes down to who has the “My best time of the season was two minutes, better day,” Jones said. “This year I’m going to work five seconds,” Jones said. “My coach told me there harder than I did last year so I can have a better day was somebody in the race that had run a 2:03. than anybody else can.” “Our goal in practice was to get my first quarter Jones has been running track since he was 5 (400 meters) down under a years old. He says minute and I did that today his motivation was with a 58-second quarter to provided by his late See which athletes and keep up with the first-place mother, who passed schools stood out at HISD meet runner,” Jones said. “On the away nearly three years second lap I just took over.” ago. Jones smoked the field with a gold medal“She instilled perseverance in me. She told me winning time of two minutes, 3.95 seconds. to try any sport or activity. If I liked it or was good Andreuis Montemayor of Kashmere High School at it, to stay with it,” Jones said. “I owe my success placed second with 2:07.84. to her and God.” The Worthing High School junior was playing Jones is also a right-handed pitcher for the the numbers game again when it came time for the Worthing Colts baseball team. 400-meter dash. “I tried baseball for the first time in the eighth “I knew from the preliminaries that I had the grade,” he said. “It was a new sport so I tried it and I second best time going into the race,” Jones said. liked it. Last year I was the backup pitcher. “I was trying to come out of the blocks faster and “This year I wasn’t really concentrating on baseball because I was trying to get my times down in track. But two weeks ago I went back out for baseball and the experience was great. My best pitch is a fastball,” he said. Jones is currently excelling in two spring sports and ranked No. 1 academically in his class. How’s that for perseverance?
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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
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About: Cedric Jones Birth date – Dec. 10, 1997 Birth sign – Sagittarius Favorite subjects – Math and science Possible career – Mechanical engineering Social media - Instagram World problem to solve – Hunger
Swoopes investigated Former Houston Comets and Texas Tech superstar Sheryl Swoopes, the current Loyola University Chicago women’s basketball head coach, is currently facing an internal investigation. The investigation comes after 10 of the team’s 12 returning players have transferred or put in requests to be released from their scholarships. According to the Loyola Phoenix, the school newspaper, mistreatment by Swoopes was cited as the reason for the exodus of players. Loyola went 14-16 during the 2015-16 regular season. They are 31-62 overall in three seasons with Swoopes as the head coach. Swoopes is a four-time WNBA champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist who was recently elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Leonard named DPOY San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has been named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. The Spurs allowed the fewest points per game during the regular season and Leonard’s defensive prowess is a major reason why. He averaged 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He ranked fifth in the NBA in Defensive Real Plus-Minus as the only non-power forward or center in the top 25. Leonard joins former Piston and Bull Dennis Rodman as the only non-centers to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Leonard was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, but was traded on draft night to San Antonio. He was the 2014 Finals MVP.
Cinco Ranch falls A week after celebrating joint Region III-6A soccer titles, the Cinco Ranch High School boys’ and girls’ soccer squads saw their respective seasons end in the state semifinals. In the boys’ division, Coppell defeated Cinco Ranch 1-0 on the strength of a Nick Taylor penalty kick. Dawson Palomar of Cinco Ranch was called for a foul in the fifth minute of action and Taylor scored the goal past Cinco Ranch senior goalkeeper Patrick Hillyard. Coppell outshot Cinco Ranch 12-4. This was the second year in a row that the Cinco Ranch boys advanced to the state soccer tournament. In 2015, they lost 2-0 to Brownsville Rivera in the state title game. The Cinco Ranch girls led Lewisville Flower Mound 4-2 with 10 minutes remaining in the second half. However, Flower Mound scored goals in the 70th and 74th minutes of play to force overtime. Alex Augustyn’s game-winning goal came with 27 seconds left in the second overtime and gave Flower Mound the 5-4 victory. It marked a third consecutive loss in the state semifinals for the Cinco Ranch girls.
Girls’ showcase set High school girls from the Class of 2016 and the Class of 2017 are invited to participate in the Houston Choice Select Girls Basketball Showcase on Saturday, April 23 at Fonde Recreation Center, 110 Sabine. The camp begins at 8 a.m. and includes skills and drills evaluation, performance competition games, player profiles and 2016 NCAA guideline information. For more information contact coach Leslie Harris at lharris13@houstonisd.org or call 713-556-6924 or 713-556-6913.
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DEFENDER APRIL 21 | 2016
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
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ELLIOTT-CHANDLER FOUNDATION GALA……..The Elliott-Chandler Foundation exemplified the organization’s motto, which includes encouraging achievements, as children held its 8th Annual Gala at the Hilton Houston Post Oak. The gala’s 625 guests raised over modeled fashions and showcased talents. Honoree and model Hazel Marie Sims, a 5-year old $90,000 for the foundation’s scholarship and mentoring programs. The organization awarded sickle cell disease fighter, continues to beat the odds as she helps raise awareness in hopes to $19,000 in endowed scholarships to Myles Bartholomew, Guy Loic Ngassa and Ralston find a bone marrow match. Those in attendance included Vicky Pink, Melinda Spaulding, Green. The foundation also selected Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy Raiya Goodman, Tammara and Autumn McDonald, Kelsey Cadien, Cambel Cadien, for Young Men students and awarded 11 graduating seniors with scholarships. Guests Austin Sims, Richard Heileman, Jasmine Sims and Karren Edwards……..MAYOR VISITS KIPP SUNNYSIDE……..Mayor Sylvester Turner visited included chairs Regina and Ronald Jackson, Mayor Sylvester KIPP Sunnyside High School students who are working on a pothole Turner, Lucy and Jon Bremond, Stephanie and Dr. Rod Paige, Defender TOP EVENTS solution as part of an MIT grant. The KIPP Sunnyside InvenTeam Champ Warren, Judy Foston and Dr. John Stanford, Gina More photos on defendernetwork.com won a $7,500 grant to solve the pothole problem and was the only Texas Gaston Elie, Angelique Bartholomew, Laurie Robinson, Juana Collins, Steven Coleman, Kimberly and Jamie House, school to win the award. The InvenTeam presented their solution and Jonathan Sprinkles, Tymeka and Mewelde Moore, Jullian “J.J.” Simmons, Monica process to Tuner and Director of Education Juliet Stipeche. Those in attendance included and Darian Lewis, Tracy and Clerenda McGrady, Janette Hammond and Tracy and Lisa McClinton, Ryan Kenan, Azyriah Hill, Samuel Onochie, Samantha Agniel, Deja Ken Janda……..CHIC CHILDREN FOR A CAUSE……..The Chic Children for a Clay, Mustafa Muhammad, Omar Garcia, Luis Reyes, Lyxus Green, Sade Arnold, Cause organization recently held its 5th Annual Fashion Show at the Mercedes Benz-Sugar Alexis Williams, Brea Mourning, Candice Fleming, Alondra Vazquez, Councilman Land show room. The event benefits the Twelve Days of Christmas Inc. The afternoon Dwight Boykins, Jorge Ramirez and Damonyka Roberts.
Jim Rice, Tammy and Michael Harris
Blanca and Anthony Brock
Tracy and Clerenda McGrady, Guy Loic Ngassa, Regina and Ronald Jackson
Kelsey Cadien, Hazel Sims, Cambel Cadien
Melinda Spaulding
Councilman Dwight Boykins, Candice Fleming
Lisa McClinton, Jorge Ramirez, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Damonyka Roberts, Juliet Stipeche, Sehba Ali
Austin Sims, Richard Heileman
Juliet Stipeche, Sehba Ali, Lisa McClinton
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